Essential Software

For many years now I have continually maintained a list of software that I recommend should be used on every computer.

Note: This list is managed for the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, if you are aware of a cross platform alternative, please feel free to make a suggestion.

The Swiss Army

A short list of applications that even the Swiss army would be proud of, so much so I even keep them stored on my USB Swiss army knife flash drive. Don’t leave home without them!

Daily Life

I use these applications on a day-to-day basis, and usually go out of my way to install them for other people, usually if I discover they are using a rival application which is asking them to pay.

At The Office

This list is software that I find myself and others using in their office environment.

The Web Developer

Tools that I use as a web developer to get the job done.

The DJ list

Finally, I have a short list of audio tools I’ve used in the past for various tasks, perhaps I would use them more if I had more spare time.

Want to know why I chose a certain piece of software over it’s competitor? Or perhaps you have a suggestion? Just let me know by leaving a comment below.

4 Comments »

  1. icemanx said,

    February 3, 2009 @ 7:07 am

    Ok for some extra software that you may want to use – try these…

    Unlocker: http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

    Cute PDF Writer: http://www.cutepdf.com

    Flashget: (now freeware) http://www.flashget.com/en/download.htm

    ATF Cleaner http://www.atribune.org

    i’ll give you some more specials later

  2. icemanx said,

    February 3, 2009 @ 4:58 pm

    Some more for you

    keep loosing your fav links to dead ones try these

    1. AMDeadlink: http://www.aignes.com

    want to have remote access to other computers on a extended network then try these few places…

    2. logmein – http://www.logmein.com see also below with crossloop

    3. crossloop – http://www.crossloop.com/ipage.htm?id=download you can download the software and signup as well
    CrossLoop is based on TightVNC, which is an open source software build on VNC to ensure that it works even in low bandwidths. CrossLoop encrypts the data sent across the computers ensuring that the security stays intact. Data is encrypted using a strong 128-bit Blowfish encryption algorithm.

    more on the way later

  3. icemanx said,

    February 26, 2009 @ 6:18 pm

    OK here is a few more things that are worth using to make your computer better

    1. YourFonts: – Create your own handwritten fonts and use them for emails and artwork (free): http://www.yourfonts.com

    2. Folder2MyPC: – By help of this utility you can add any folders and programs in ” My computer ” and “Control panel” (free): http://eng.softq.org/Folder2mypc

    3. Answer IM: – is an online service which helps you to solve this problem with ease. Using this service you send an automatic predefined message when you aren’t signed into the instant messenger or you’re away from Internet. The message may be in the form of a link, text or even a phone number. This service is currently applicable to Gtalk, Yahoo, AIM, MSN and ICQ…… (free): http://answer.im

    4. Empathy: – Software Password Protects Windows Applications, This piece of software is designed for those of you with a tendency to keep a close eye on computer security since it allows you to block access to certain software programs that you have installed on your Windows OS, be it XP or Vista. The thing is that if you have XP Pro, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate, you could put your programming skills to the test and attain the same goal by using secpol.msc. But I am sure many of you will appreciate a tool that is effective and very simple to use. (free) http://www.findmysoft.com/news/Empathy-Software-Password-Protects-Windows-Applications/

    Well this is what I have been using and works well

  4. icemanx said,

    March 9, 2009 @ 3:23 pm

    Ok just a quick addon – everyone knows of Adobe pdf reader
    have you really looked at how big or how much is installed on your system ?
    well its over 250mb – now what will shock you is a pdf reader that is only 4mb big and does EVERYTHING adobe crap does
    its called Fox-it PDF Reader

    you can download it here: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/
    freeware version available here: http://mirrors.foxitsoftware.com/pub/foxit/reader/desktop/win/3.x/3.0/enu/FoxitReader30_enu_Setup.exe

    Foxit Reader is the only eligible alternative reader/viewer for PDF files (eBooks). It’s free, smaller, faster, and cleaner. And it starts up immediately, so you don’t need to wait the annoying “Welcome” screen to disappear. Foxit PDF Reader is extremely easy to use, just double click it to start and then click open button to open your PDF document. If you want to print, click on “Print” button. If you want to setup the page layout for printing, select “Print Setup” from “File” menu. Foxit Reader supports Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista.

    hope this helps

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